Nick Russell
About Nick Russell
Nick Russell is a Senior Technical Artist in Research and Development at Riot Games, where he has worked since 2021. He has extensive experience in game development, having previously held positions at companies such as MobilityWare, Little Orbit, and Cryptozoic Entertainment.
Current Role at Riot Games
Nick Russell currently serves as a Senior Technical Artist in the R&D department at Riot Games, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on conducting pipeline assessments to integrate and enhance new engine features. He acts as a subject matter expert in game engine technology, specifically for visual effects, user interface, character, and environment art. His responsibilities include developing custom tooling for Unreal Editor using C++ Plugins and Editor Widgets, tailored to meet the specific needs of designers and artists.
Previous Experience at MobilityWare
Before joining Riot Games, Nick Russell worked as a Senior Technical Artist at MobilityWare from 2019 to 2020. His tenure lasted for 8 months and took place in Irvine, California. In this role, he contributed to the development of technical art solutions, enhancing the visual quality and performance of games.
Technical Artist Background at Riot Games
Nick Russell previously worked at Riot Games as a Technical Artist from 2020 to 2021. During this year-long period, he contributed to various projects, utilizing his skills in shader writing for both user interface and 3D applications. His experience at Riot Games helped him develop a deeper understanding of game art and technology.
Education and Expertise in Illustration
Nick Russell studied at Watts Atelier of the Arts, where he focused on Illustration from 2010 to 2013. This three-year program provided him with a solid foundation in artistic principles, which he later applied in his technical art roles across various companies.
Career Progression and Technical Skills
Nick Russell has a diverse career history that includes roles as a Design Drafter at Serco and as a Technical Artist at companies such as Little Orbit and Cryptozoic Entertainment. His experience spans multiple years and includes expertise in writing shaders and developing technical art solutions for both Unity and Unreal engines. His background demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing game development processes through technical artistry.